Qualcomm today announced that it is working with mobile software providers to address the issue of fragmentation as the company prepares the next-generation of its mobile operating system, Brew. According to a press release, the new initiative focuses on streamlining the process of commercializing new devices that offer a wide range of software applications.

The company said that key software components, such as Java virtual machines, device management, browsers, multimedia, instant messaging and calendar applications, will be pre-integrated with Brew so that developers can distribute applications to mobile device manufacturers prior to market launch of new handsets. Qualcomm says the result is a reduced development time and cost. The first Brew handsets are expected to launch beginning next year.

The joint effort covers core mobile software applications and technology, ranging from custom browsers and Java programming support to solutions for mobile social networking, email and messaging, graphics engines, multimedia, standards-based device management, location-based services and font management.

Previously, pre-loaded applications and components were developed on Brew handsets, but this further development addresses the ongoing challenge of fragmentation that developers face in developing applications for high-volume handsets.